Support NeoGAF

[WanderingWind]

I've been in Canada for 10 years (I'm from the UK) and this still bugs the shit out of me because the same thing doesn't happen in reverse.

It's frustrating when you use an English word in conversation with an English speaker and they just look at you like you've murdered their family. It's like nobody in North America understands context.

So weird that different countries have different words for things. Stupid Americans!

 

[Hunter S.]

So weird that different countries have different words for things. Stupid Americans!

You should be studying English diction patterns in your own time as the language came from that island.

 

[Broder Salsa]

The first shock for me was the water levels in Seattles toilets. My dick could touch the fucking water, that's fucked up America.

 

[vas_a_morir]

The first shock for me was the water levels in Seattles toilets. My dick could touch the fucking water, that's fucked up America.

Funny story.

I was staying in this old couples house in Japan. I knew I would have to shit.

I go into the bathroom, and I see the toilet. It's a shelf... with a little puddle of water way off to the back. I looked at it and said "Oh God, I don't want to leave skidmarks... but it I poop on dry porcelain, there is no way that I won't."

So, I get to my business. Fairly normal stuff. Flush. Get up... Yep, Skidmarks. I have to reach in with toilet paper, wipe off the 'shelf' and flush again. All is well!

All I'm saying... more water = a cleaner toilet.

 

[Muffdraul]

I've been in Canada for 10 years (I'm from the UK) and this still bugs the shit out of me because the same thing doesn't happen in reverse.

It's frustrating when you use an English word in conversation with an English speaker and they just look at you like you've murdered their family. It's like nobody in North America understands context.

Depends on the context. I bet a lot of people ask simply "Excuse me, where's the nearest chemist?"

As opposed to "I need to buy some shampoo and aspirin, where's the nearest chemist?"

Another issue is, when you go the UK and ask where the local "drug store" is, that doesn't mean something entirely different to them. There's no cause for them to go "What?! You call it a 'drug store'? How bizarre, to us a drug store is that little thing at the ends of shoe laces."

 

[Joni]

Call me in four years about that second one and especially call me when your country does either the first or the third.

I love being Belgian. Mr. Elio di Rupo.

 

[WanderingWind]

You should be studying English diction patterns in your own time as the language came from that island.

This is some sort of joke, right?

 

[Hunter S.]

This is some sort of joke, right?

I wish I did not have to write it, but yes. Sarcasm.

 

[WanderingWind]

I wish I did not have to write it, but yes. Sarcasm.

Poe's Law makes skeptics of us all, in time.

 

[Xis]

Another issue is, when you go the UK and ask where the local "drug store" is, that doesn't mean something entirely different to them. There's no cause for them to go "What?! You call it a 'drug store'? How bizarre, to us a drug store is that little thing at the ends of shoe laces."

"The plastic tips at the end of shoelaces are called aglets. Their true purpose is sinister"

 

[Herne]

Walmart (and other big supermarkets) – So much stuff for so little price. $2.99 for a pint of Häagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry. $6 for 24 cans of coke. Why get a $8 Hershey syrup if you can get TWO for $10.

NOW you're thinking like an American!

Wtf?! There's a local shop here selling 24 cans for €9.99, and everyone here thinks it's a good deal. $6 > €4.45. Goddammit.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Come to Australia, where a pint of Ben & Jerry's costs $12.

 

[Herne]

Come to Australia, where a pint of Ben & Jerry's costs $12.

You win.

 

[PushTheButtonMax]

This one from a Russian kind of cracked me up.

Philanthropy. There is no culture of philanthropy in Russia and many view American philanthropy either as a waste of money or as some intricate plot to get some additional benefits.

 

[zero shift]

A lot of these stereotypes tend to focus on upper middle class people or rednecks.

This one from a Russian kind of cracked me up.

A lot Russians believe that legitimately anything good rich people do has some ulterior motive behind it.

 

[Muffdraul]

This one from a Russian kind of cracked me up.

Philanthropy is all just a Capitalist plot.

 

[Deified Data]

Yes. I hear similar things about random sensitive subjects pretty regularly, I never understood it.

I think this person might be offended by something I say

V

I am uncomfortable and it's their fault because of oversensitivity.


At least they were honest and didn't make up a story about how half of costco was out for their blood for not using the proper term, 'caucasian chocolate'.

This is very much the sort of attitude that many racists adopt towards minorities. Strange how that goes full-circle sometimes.

 

[ruxtpin]

lol at the overweight people on scooters comment...

"This sighting can be seen easily in Walmart where obese people use scooters to shop more … food."

And...

"Everybody jogs in Boston" - That's cuz jogging is awesome!

 

[DrSlek]

Wait! Hold on a sec!

You're charged for incoming calls in the US? This truly is a nightmarish dystopia!

 

[arglebargle]

This one stood out for me.


Was really really weird as first.

i eat at restaurants, mostly in new york city, like 3 times a week. i can never remember this happening to me. at least not without the server also saying "no rush, just for your convenience"

It's a bit awkward that they bring it to the table without asking if you want to order coffee or dessert first.

Also, no chip and PIN in shops and restaurants, and no signature needed for transactions under a certain value. It would be so easy for someone to skim your card, and you'd be screwed if you lost it.

The fresh fruit in California was gorgeous though, and the tour of the Napa Valley was one of the best days of my life. In fact, you can keep my card - just leave the petit sirah.

would have have to pay for that elsewhere? i have had my credit card number stolen a couple of times and used for fraudulent purchases. cost me a bit of time to straighten out, but never cost me actual money.

I was in USA for the first time three weeks ago, and this was the most alien thing to me. TV had a whole lot of drug ads. Where I live, drug ads on tv are banned.

Other than that, I felt almost at home with everything. But that was in NY, which might be more global and less stereotypically "American" than other places? And I didn't go to any fast food places or chain stores. Servers and cashiers were just like here: really nice some places, indifferent other places.

this isnt directed at you, but i have always resented that people dont consider the big, mostly coastal, cities "real america". there are 20 million people in new yorks metropolitan statistical area (which, granted, covers areas of more than one state). thats more people than there are in almost every state in the country. not to mention the other major cities in the us. how could the majority of the country not be respresentattive of the country?

 

[Arjen]

i eat at restaurants, mostly in new york city, like 3 times a week. i can never remember this happening to me. at least not without the server also saying "no rush, just for your convenience"

My experience is limited to the west coast. Maybe it's different there?

 

[Zornica]

This is where America shines far above other developed nations in my opinion. It's inherently diverse, and much of the equality and diversity legislation and values found in Europe are a direct consequence of US experiences and legislation.

Which European country would elect a black president/prime minister?

I know there have been lots of responses already, but please let me add another one:

in 1970, austria, the backyard and birthplace of hitler, voted for a jewish guy to be the new Federal Chancellor. He held this position for 13 years and to this day he is still one of the most iconic and beloved politicians ever.

The biggest one that caught me out when I first moved to the US was the paying for incoming calls and texts. I got a pay as you go phone and found myself out of minutes even though I had made no calls. I was shocked when I learned the reason.

thats a real thing? Oo
so if someone calls YOU, you have to pay too?

I find the casual European dismissal of race-related topics in America condescending, ignorant, and often reeking of societal privilege. Why don't we ask the Roma and North Africans how great race relations are in Western Europe?

you aren't any less ignorant though...
america = wide diverse, western europe = one big homogeneous mass?

You can ask the roma in my country, I heard one of them got the highest Decoration of Honour 2 weeks ago. also... never heard of any (verbal) attacks against black people, but to be fair there are hardly any around.
moslems on the other hand...

 

[thomaser]

this isnt directed at you, but i have always resented that people dont consider the big, mostly coastal, cities "real america". there are 20 million people in new yorks metropolitan statistical area (which, granted, covers areas of more than one state). thats more people than there are in almost every state in the country. not to mention the other major cities in the us. how could the majority of the country not be respresentattive of the country?

I know it sounded strange, and of course I think NY and other big cities are representative of USA. It's just that I expected the place to feel much more alien. It was just like any big city in Europe but with much taller buildings. The first time I went out of the hotel and went for a good long walk around the Madison Square Park and Union Square neighborhoods, I felt right at home, which was really unexpected.

By the way, someone mentioned the water levels in toilets. YES. It was so awkward to pee when the water was so high. I feared it would splash all over.

 

[arglebargle]

My experience is limited to the west coast. Maybe it's different there?

could be. i havent spent a ton of time on the west coast. basically i would be pissed if i felt i was being rushed out of a restaurant so it cant be that common or i would have been accustomed to it by now. i am trying to remember the restaurants i have been to in san francisco (really the only place on the west coast i have ever spent any time) and cant remember being rushed or encouraged to leave via check.

 

[DanteFox]

My experience is limited to the west coast. Maybe it's different there?

Depends on the restaurant. At Denny's they do it. At classier places not so much.

 

[ThisWreckage]

Retail workers kissing ass isn't something that should be commended considering it comes from a very dishonest place. They're not happy to see you because of a genuine sentiment---they're happy to see you because they're told to be.

 

[DanteFox]

Retail workers kissing ass isn't something that should be commended considering it comes from a very dishonest place. They're not happy to see you because of a genuine sentiment---they're happy to see you because they're told to be.

At least they're making the effort to treat you with politeness, and for the most part not letting their emotional state let them treat you poorly.

 

[jerry1594]

I like how in Germany people will actually tell you a bunch of stuff when you say how are you. I absolutely hate the inanity of being asked 'How are you?' with a shit eating grin when a friendly hello does the job.

 

[Rookje]

Retail workers kissing ass isn't something that should be commended considering it comes from a very dishonest place. They're not happy to see you because of a genuine sentiment---they're happy to see you because they're told to be.

Also American retailers are sometimes nicer because they earn a commission (% of sale). Commission really doesn't exist in Europe.

Honestly I find "Need any help?" super annoying, I rarely ever need help or assistance.

 

[enra]

This is where America shines far above other developed nations in my opinion. It's inherently diverse, and much of the equality and diversity legislation and values found in Europe are a direct consequence of US experiences and legislation.

Which European country would elect a black president/prime minister?

The prime minister of Belgium is gay.

 

[Peagles]

I was asked these :

- do you have TVs in Europe ?
- do you have cars in Europe ?
- do you have THE MOON in Europe ?

Yes.

Hahaha... My penpal from Seattle used to ask me this kind of stuff in letters.

Do you have chocolate chip cookies in New Zealand?
Do you have traffic lights in New Zealand?

The thing that really cracked me up was that she had already been over here to visit me by the time we were 11. I mean, shit, YOU WERE HERE YOU SAW TRAFFIC LIGHTS, lol...

 

[Lazy vs Crazy]

Wait! Hold on a sec!

You're charged for incoming calls in the US? This truly is a nightmarish dystopia!

Only on cell phones.

But yeah, incoming calls and texts.

 

[sangreal]

Love lists like this, thanks OP. Also, it taught me that Coriander and Cilantro are the same thing. The more you know...

 

[Muffdraul]

My experience is limited to the west coast. Maybe it's different there?

I've lived on the west coast my entire life. Usually they ask if you want anything else before they bring the check. And they usually ask for permission to clear the empty dishes, they don't just do it out of the blue. Anyway I've never sensed anything crass or shitty about it, trying to hurry us out or anything. I can see how someone who isn't used to it might see it that way.

 

[frankie_baby]

Only on cell phones.

But yeah, incoming calls and texts.

so if I had a lot of money and wanted to piss people off I could just text them and run up their bills, that's pretty fucked up

 

[lenovox1]

I've lived on the west coast my entire life. Usually they ask if you want anything else before they bring the check. And they usually ask for permission to clear the empty dishes, they don't just do it out of the blue. Anyway I've never sensed anything crass or shitty about it, trying to hurry us out or anything. I can see how someone who isn't used to it might see it that way.

Yeah. I think a paragon of customer service is knowing what the patron wants before they even have to express anything, which even reaches back to the whole, "Hi. How are you? How can I help you today?", retail behavior. I think American consumers put an incredibly high level of expectation on our service workers, and expect to not really have to think about anything but paying the bill at the end of our time with an establishment.

I could totally get why some foreigners would be freaked out and even insulted by it, too.

so if I had a lot of money and wanted to piss people off I could just text them and run up their bills, that's pretty fucked up

Probably not. Just about anyone with a smartphone and most with a monthly, billed plan will have unlimited text and data.

 

[Race to be King]

would have have to pay for that elsewhere? i have had my credit card number stolen a couple of times and used for fraudulent purchases. cost me a bit of time to straighten out, but never cost me actual money.

You probably wouldn't be charged for the fraudulent transactions - especially if it was a credit rather than a debit card - but I've never had my card details stolen. With chip and PIN, the card is never out of your sight - the staff have a remote card machine that they bring to the table.

 

[wsippel]

And why do I always here about how we are too friendly?

European folks don't really consider it friendly, they consider it superfluous bullshit. Because the people who ask don't actually give a shit.

 

[w00twood]

I like how in Germany people will actually tell you a bunch of stuff when you say how are you. I absolutely hate the inanity of being asked 'How are you?' with a shit eating grin when a friendly hello does the job.

A bit off-topic but I was about twenty when I realised that when someone asks 'how are you', it's often not intended as a question. I always answered it. I noticed people on television, and then in real life, just answering 'hi'. Seemed rude at first but now I get it. I'm from the UK (and still live here) so maybe we just don't do that as much.

 

[vas_a_morir]

If NKY = Northern Kentucky, then you live right by the Cincinnati Creation Museum.

I live in Dayton, Ohio. There are Jesus signs between Dayton and Columbus ("JESUS IS REAL") and also between Dayton and Cincinnati, not to mention the 20-foot tall Jesus statue off of I-75.

I've seen that statue once 10 years ago. Never been near the creation museum. I thought that was in Indiana? *facepalm*

Still, never saw one of those. I have, on the other hand, seen church signs that have messages on them. Usually something lame and 'cute.'

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

Reginald D. Hunter has a good comedic bit on this.

I've heard a similar anecdote from several black stand-up comics over here.

 

[Muffdraul]

European folks don't really consider it friendly, they consider it superfluous bullshit. Because the people who ask don't actually give a shit.

Ah, so it's sort of like the hardcore Linux user philosophy on writing emails.

 

[Race to be King]

A bit off-topic but I was about twenty when I realised that when someone asks 'how are you', it's often not intended as a question. I always answered it. I noticed people on television, and then in real life, just answering 'hi'. Seemed rude at first but now I get it. I'm from the UK (and still live here) so maybe we just don't do that as much.

I always go with 'Fine thanks, and you?' but someone I know takes it as an opportunity to go into great detail about the day's trials and tribulations. It's a bit awkward with shop staff who were just asking out of courtesy.

 

[effzee]

Just having moved from Murica to Germany, I'm getting a kick out of some of these. Some are true, some...not so much. The biggest thing that sticks out to me is how much different a persons experience of America would be if they visited say, LA versus Louisiana or Hawaii versus Indiana. I'm not seeing the enormous differences in say, Dusseldorf to Stuttgart or Nuremberg. They each have their own individual places that are unique, but overall the cultural differences don't seem readily apparent.

Oh, and nothing is drive through and you can walk everywhere here. And the transit system is magical. It's like the complexity of NYC's subways mixed with actually fucking showing up on goddamn time. And not smelling like piss.

You moved to Germany permanently?

Anyway I wasn't born in the US and when we first came here (at age 9) I was shocked to learn

1. Kids could talk back to teachers. Or just talk in general. Back home not only are teachers allowed to hit kids but you are to treat teachers with the utmost respect so you never speak unless you are called on.

2. Related to point 1, but in general just how less polite the language and interactions are. Coming from a language that has 2-3 different ways of saying "you" depending on gender and age, English just seemed rude. I can't speak in English with my parents to this day. Feels like I am disrespecting them. Not even mentioning how openly everyone curses. First time I heard kids openly say ass or fuck I lost my mind.

3. Everything is bigger. Roads. Bananas.

4. Sex. Just how in your face it is. Which is funny since Europeans see America as prude and overly religious, but coming from a much more conservative region (South East Asia), America just seemed to be without limit.

5. Tipping.

 

[wsippel]

This is where America shines far above other developed nations in my opinion. It's inherently diverse, and much of the equality and diversity legislation and values found in Europe are a direct consequence of US experiences and legislation.

Which European country would elect a black president/prime minister?

I'm German. Our chancellor is a woman, our foreign minister is gay and our vice chancellor is from Vietnam.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Retail workers kissing ass isn't something that should be commended considering it comes from a very dishonest place. They're not happy to see you because of a genuine sentiment---they're happy to see you because they're told to be.

I actually find this one absurd and even mildly insulting. Its not an observation, its a values judgment that comes from foreign cultures imposing their own value-systems on ours and judging them superior.

It isn't done for a more complicated reason other than it makes for a more pleasant shopping atmosphere and it shows that the workers actually care about their jobs.

 

[Hilbert]

I actually find this one absurd and even mildly insulting. Its not an observation, its a values judgment that comes from foreign cultures imposing their own value-systems on ours and judging them superior.

It makes for a more pleasant shopping atmosphere and it shows that the workers actually care about their jobs.

hell, when I worked retail, I actually WAS happy to interact with people. it is probably the thing I miss most about my current office job.

 

[Why would you do that?]

so if I had a lot of money and wanted to piss people off I could just text them and run up their bills, that's pretty fucked up

If the cell phone user has automatic text message download enabled (often the case on smartphones) and doean't have an unlimited plan, then yes.

Because my plan costs me $2 only on days it's used, I disable auto download. Therefore, I see when I get texts and who sent the text, but not its content.

 

[phillipgessert]

A bit off-topic but I was about twenty when I realised that when someone asks 'how are you', it's often not intended as a question. I always answered it. I noticed people on television, and then in real life, just answering 'hi'. Seemed rude at first but now I get it. I'm from the UK (and still live here) so maybe we just don't do that as much.

That actually sounds kinda clunky to me—people do all kinds of stuff on TV that doesn't carry well in real life, like hanging up the phone without saying goodbye. I do think the question is totally just a salutation though, no one really wants an earnest answer.

 

[CornBurrito]

A bit off-topic but I was about twenty when I realised that when someone asks 'how are you', it's often not intended as a question. I always answered it. I noticed people on television, and then in real life, just answering 'hi'. Seemed rude at first but now I get it. I'm from the UK (and still live here) so maybe we just don't do that as much.

I haven't noticed this. I mean nobody actually cares about how you are, but the unwritten rule seems to be answering "fine" or "good" and then responding with "how are you?" I've never actually heard someone respond with "hi" to "how are you." The closest I have heard was "hey! I'm good! How are you?" and that is usually when speaking with friends where you actually do care to some degree how they are.